Sugar bowl
Jug
Bowl
Maker & role
Unknown, Maker
Production date
circa 1950
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Object detail
Production place
Measurements
1 - Sugar bowl, H: 6.5 x W: 8 x D: 6.5cm (H: 65 x W: 80 x D: 65mm); 2 - Timber lid for sugar bowl, H: 2.5 x Diam: 6.5cm (H: 25 x Diam: 65mm); 1:2, H: 9 x W: 8 x D: 6.5cm (H: 90 x W: 80 x D: 65mm); 3 - Condiment jug, H: 8.8 x W: 6 x D: 5cm (H: 88 x W: 60 x D: 50mm); 4 - Stopper for condiment jug, H: 2.9 x Diam: 1.6cm (H: 29 x Diam: 16mm); 3:4, H: 10.2 x W: 6 x D: 5cm (H: 102 x W: 60 x D: 50mm); 5 - Salt bowl, H: 2.5 x W: 6.5 x D: 4cm (H: 25 x W: 65 x D: 40mm)
Signature & marks
Impressed on underside: 'HAND-MADE / in Sweden'
Credit line
Gift, Alison Huskins and family, 2020
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Sugar bowl, condiment jug, salt bowl, c1950
Description
This three-piece set - sugar bowl, condiments jug and salt bowl - is part of a small collection of tea and coffee ware in the collection that relate to Stanley Gladstone Robertson's work as a ceramics and glass buyer for Sydney department store, Mark Foys, from c1940-1960. As part of his job, Robertson was required to find new potential stock for the store by visiting a range of different manufacturers, sometimes in different countries. This practice had been undertaken by many Australian department stores since the 19th century. Department stores were often large enough and had sufficient buying power to deal directly with manufacturers rather than going through local agents, wholesalers or third parties. By practicing vertical integration as much as possible, department stores were renowned for cutting costs and breaking down traditional forms of business practice.
In March-April 1951, Robertson travelled to Europe on behalf of Mark Foys to view and order table-ware ceramics. The diary from his trip (now in the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection), which includes flight details, who he met, what he saw, purchased and where he stayed, including costings, is a rare survivor. In fact, Robertson visited several factories in various European countries in 1951. He returned from this and other trips with sample tea and coffee sets which he gave to his daughter. Most of the tea and coffee sets in the collection appear to date from this 1951 trip and all seem to have remained unused and stored as souvenirs. Black and white photo prints of Robertson (now in the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection), including some at his Mark Foys workplace, provide context to the diary and tea and coffee sets.
In March-April 1951, Robertson travelled to Europe on behalf of Mark Foys to view and order table-ware ceramics. The diary from his trip (now in the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection), which includes flight details, who he met, what he saw, purchased and where he stayed, including costings, is a rare survivor. In fact, Robertson visited several factories in various European countries in 1951. He returned from this and other trips with sample tea and coffee sets which he gave to his daughter. Most of the tea and coffee sets in the collection appear to date from this 1951 trip and all seem to have remained unused and stored as souvenirs. Black and white photo prints of Robertson (now in the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection), including some at his Mark Foys workplace, provide context to the diary and tea and coffee sets.
Accession number
L2020/18-1:5
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